Longitudinal immunological responses of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with solid tumors on active treatment: A pilot study.
Authors: Lifen Cao, Shelby Rose Kopp, Patricia A. Rayman, Naji Mallat, Yan Leyfman, James Michael Martin, Jennifer Eva Selfridge, C. Marcela Diaz-Montero, Alberto J. Montero
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2022)

TPS10618 Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is associated with an increased risk of severe infection or death in cancer patients compared to the general population. The CANVAX trial recently demonstrated that short term immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are modestly impaired in patients with cancer— particularly those who receive myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Because little is known regarding longitudinal antibody or T-cell responses in cancer patients who receive cytotoxic chemotherapy or non-myelosuppressive targeted systemic therapy, the aim of this longitudinal study is to assess immune B and T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 over a 12-month period in solid tumor patients who receive chemotherapy or non-immunosuppressive therapy compared to healthy individuals without cancer. Methods: This is an ongoing prospective non-interventional clinical trial (NCT05238467). Approximately 100 patients will be enrolled into three different arms. Accrual began in May 2021 and 37 patients have been enrolled. Eligible patients must not have prior COVID-19 infection &lt; 6 months from study enrollment and have a diagnosis of a solid tumor (breast, genitourinary, or gastrointestinal cancers), who either: received myelosuppressive chemotherapy within 60 days prior to initial or booster COVID vaccination, or who started on chemotherapy within 30 to 60 days after the initial or booster COVID vaccination (Arm A); or received non-immunosuppressive treatments (Arm B); or have no history of cancer or prior history of cancer but beyond 12 months from completion of curative cancer treatment (Arm C, control cohort). Whole blood will be collected in accordance with standard operating procedures. Blood samples analyzed for the presence of antibodies against the major antigenic components of SARS-CoV-2 including the spike glycoprotein (S), receptor binding domain (R) and nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (N). Antibody levels will be quantified utilizing quantitative ELISA. T-cell responses will also be quantified. The primary endpoint is seroprotection rate with an antibody titer protective (1:40) at any point: baseline, 2, 6, and 12 months. The secondary endpoint is to evaluate differences in longitudinal immunological responses to SARS-CoV-2 over a 12-month period. The difference of the seroprotection rate among 3 cohorts of participants will be examined using chi-square test. Moreover, the effect of treatment (chemotherapy, endocrine, TKIs) on seroprotection will be estimated using multivariable logistic regression controlling the effects of confounders, such as age, gender and cancer type. COVID antibody titers measured over time (baseline, 8 weeks, 6, 9, 12 months after the second vaccination) will be analyzed using mixed-effect models. Clinical trial information: NCT05238467.